My grandmother's diaries
By Porcospino
@Porcospino (31366)
Denmark
February 4, 2013 12:29pm CST
My grandmother died last year and when we packed the things from her apartment we found 3 old diaries. They are not the kind of diaries where she has written about her thoughts and her feelings. They contain a couple of keywords about her daily life (one or two sentences or less per day) The first diary starts in 1984 when I was 8 years old and I really enjoy reading about the things that me and my grandmother did together at that time. It makes me think about things from the past that I have almost forgotten.
My grandmother and I have always had a really close relationship and we have spent a lot of time together. When I was a child she often took care of me and when she got older and needed help and I visited her very often and talked to her on the phone almost daily. I thought that it would be too painful to read the diaries, but I actually feel good about it and I feel happy to read about the many memories from the past.
3 people like this
9 responses
@WakeUpKitty (8694)
• Netherlands
4 Feb 13
I think your grandmother left a great treasure behind (for you). BTW there is no rule how a diary should look like at all. There is even no need to write daily.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
8 Feb 13
Yes, it is a great treasure. I am very happy to have those diaries especially because my grandmother and I had a very close relationship and we have always spent a lot of time together. The last couple of days I have been reading her diaries and I finished the last one yesterday. It brings back a lot of memories from the past including things that I had almost forgotten 
I agree with the last thing that you wrote. There are so many ways to write a diary. Some people write daily and some people only write once in a while. I write daily in some periods and sometimes I don't write at all for two months or more.
I agree with the last thing that you wrote. There are so many ways to write a diary. Some people write daily and some people only write once in a while. I write daily in some periods and sometimes I don't write at all for two months or more.1 person likes this
@averygirl72 (37770)
• Philippines
7 Feb 13
That is very nice! People here does not have a habit of writing diaries. When I have a diary I really put everything there. It would be nice to see old diaries and old photos and refresh old memories.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
16 Feb 13
Yes, old diaries are a great way to refresh old memories. My grandmother's diaries start in 1984 when I was 8 years old, and it is interesting to read about her daily activities from that time because she mentions things that I had almost forgotten. I also enjoy reading about the things that my grandmother and I did together at that time. We have always had a close relationship, and we have spent a lot of time together. Her diaries are full of both sad and happy memories and I am really happy that I am able to keep those diaries as a memory of her. Fortunately I also have many pictures of her and they are very precious to me.
@andak2007 (3229)
• Philippines
4 Feb 13
I am sure that your grandmother is now happy and safe in His arms. And missing her is just natural and ready her diary is a very good thing as you will know more of her feelings and her thoughts when she was still alive. I am also fond of writing diaries and notes, got inspired by "THe Notebook". You see, i easily forget things and my memory is just not reliable so i really make it a point to write notes and moments worth of writing. I sometimes can read old entries that i find in my papers and forgotten that i wrote those and when i read them again, it feels good to remember those old days and that what was my feelings and thoughts for that day.
I plan to renew this habit when i am more settled in my job, for now i am quite busy.
Cheers!
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
6 Feb 13
It feels great to read her diaries and it makes me remember some of the things from the past that I had almost forgotten (things that happened in my childhood) The first diary is from 1984 and at that time I was only 8 years old. I am happy to read about my grandmother's activities and some of the things that we did together when I spent the night in her home. I think it is great that you plan on writing and notes again. It is good a habit I think, and it is interesting to read those things later in life. I don't write every day or every week, but sometimes I write about my thoughts, feelings and experiences and it is interesting to read those things later.
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
4 Feb 13
It's great that you have those diaries.
I lost my grandmother a few years ago. I wish that I had something like that, but I ended up with nothing of hers. All I have are a few photos (still in digital format) of her that I took.
1 person likes this
@bhanusb (5709)
• India
5 Feb 13
Generally we find deep relationship between granny or grandpa and grandchildren. It was happened in your case also. To read grandmother's diary is painful no doubt, but enjoyable too. By reading grandma's diary you went to the past and could remember the memories of cordial relationship with her. Your grandmother left a great gift for you.
1 person likes this
@subhojit10 (7375)
• India
4 Feb 13
Thanks a ton for sharing this discussion. Well i can understand your feelings and i know u must have been confused initially when u got the diary in your hand. U must have felt that it would make u nostalgic and on the other hand u wanted to see what she has written in it. But whatever u did was absolutely justified as u got to know about her feelings n in a way got nostalgic as well.
What say?
1 person likes this
@redredrose (1105)
• United States
7 Feb 13
It is okay to be sad when reading those diaries because you miss your grandmother. Mixed feelings is normal. Tho remember her with smiles and all the good times you shred that is what is best to do when reading the diaries.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
9 Feb 13
I think it is one treasure you should hold on to that will serve as your physical connection to your grandmother. All the memories re-lived and cherished....
1 person likes this
@Raine38 (12257)
• United States
7 Feb 13
That's a very precious legacy left behind by your grandmother--memories through her eyes. I can just imagine how full of emotions her words are. And I am glad to know that you have a very good relationship with her and has made some very wonderful moments with her before she passed.
1 person likes this
